Spanish Poetry: 1960s-1970s, Existentialism & Espriu

Poets at the Turn of the 1960s to 1970s

The poets at the turn of the 1960s to 1970s adopted a more intimate, individualistic, and dualistic stance. They were more concerned with personal freedom and their own destiny. The end of Francoism, the creation of publishing houses, new literary prizes, the relaxation of censorship, and the recognition of linguistic rights facilitated the work of poets of the 1970s. This period involved social and cultural consequences suffered from the war, experiencing the culture of mass media and the youth of the 1960s, and revolting in the street fight against Francoism. They also had more information about European culture.

Characteristics

• Break with realism
• Culturalism
• Ideological and moral transgression
• Return to Symbolist aesthetics and formalism

Culturalism was manifested throughout the world through cultural intertextuality and author references. The significance of this attitude is the sublimated, transgressive recreation of the forbidden world of childhood and youth. Writers incorporated modern culture into narrative and poetic genres, including movies and comics.

Trends and styles of the 1970s have in common the rejection of realism and a desire to experiment with language. This generation is influenced by authors such as J.V. Foix, Joan Brossa, and Josep Carner.

Salvador Espriu's Poetic Shift

The existential concern with life and death takes on a collective, civic, and social dimension in the poetry of Salvador Espriu. Espriu played a significant cultural role as one of the architects of reconstruction from the cultural underground. He cultivated poetry, drama, and novels. The poet, more drawn to poetry and theater after the war, began a realistic period with La Pell de Brau.

In this work, the author reflects the simplicity of the people's aspirations and takes the floor to denounce injustice, moralize, and demand that fear become a place of coexistence, respect, and freedom. His poetry is based on images and other symbols drawn from earlier works. The symbols and myths of his own creation form the mythical constellation of the personal poet. The indications are elements deliberately left by the author outside the body of the poems. Recurrent themes are the death of loved ones, language, and country, and the poet's elegiac commitment to his people, calling for respect and tolerance. The resources that cater to pessimism are attenuated by irony and satire.